With the clocks going back an hour and the weather turning colder (2 degrees in Glasgow this weekend!), for many Glasgow families this will mean spending more time indoors and turning up the heating.

Scottish Gas has found that, unsurprisingly, Scotland been leading the way in the UK in terms of cranking the heating up in the past month. The company has just released data that shows more than two thirds (79 per cent) of Scots turned on their heating, compared to just over half in the South East (52 per cent).

Smart Energy Expert Simon Jackson from Scottish Gas has come up with some top tips on how people can stay on top of their energy use.

Entertaining the kids

“With the days getting shorter after the clocks going back, parents will need to come up with creative ideas to keep the kids entertained for the week.

“The easy option will be to turn to technology, especially if it’s raining! That means there will be more TVs, computers and tablets on in rooms around the home.

“Instead why not get the family involved and give the gadgets a rest! You could hold a family film night or agree on a programme you can all enjoy together.”

Ready, steady, cook!

Branston Beef Stew with Dumplings (Image: Glasgow Live)

“Soups, stews, casseroles – you can’t beat hearty, warming meals! But when you’re making recipes that require a lot of cooking, it pays to be savvy with the way you use your appliances.

“If you’re using the oven, turn it off a few minutes earlier, as some dishes will continue cooking even while cooling.

“You could use your microwave more too, as it uses around 10% less energy than an oven. For example, if you’re cooking a jacket potato, pop it in the microwave first for five minutes before finishing it off in the oven. It also takes a lot less time to cook.